Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscope (DTEM) is introduced as a novel tool for in situ processing of materials. Examples of various types of dynamic studies outline the advantages and differences of laser-based heating in the DTEM in comparison to conventional (resistive) heating in situ TEM methods. We demonstrate various unique capabilities of the drive laser, namely, in situ processing of nanoscale materials, rapid and high temperature phase transformations, and controlled thermal activation of materials. These experiments would otherwise be impossible without the use of the DTEM drive laser. Thus, the potential of the DTEM to as a new technique to process and characterize the growth of a myriad of micro and nanostructures is demonstrated.

Science.gov (United States)

This dissertation presents the development of the novel mechanical testing technique of in situ nanoindentation in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This technique makes it possible to simultaneously observe and quantify the mechanical behavior of nano-scale volumes of solids.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Small-angle X-ray scattering method recognised to be very useful in the studies of structural problems of materials in homogeneous in nanoscale. Studies by small-angle X-ray scattering on the Al-Ag alloys are presented. The size distributions of spherical Guinier-Person zones were calculated using Vonk's and Glatter's methods. Small-angle X-ray scattering studies were performed on Al-5.0 at.%Ag alloy containing Guinier-Preson zones in the #eta#-state. For this alloy one can assume that scattering particles are of spherical shape, have uniform electron density and scatter independently. Moreover, the size distributions were calculated for Al-1.6 at.%Ag alloy containing Guinier-Preston zones in #epsilon#-state (scattering particles with not uniform electron density). Both, Vonk's and Glatter's, methods gave similar size distributions. Profiles of size distributions for Guinier-Preston zones in ...

Science.gov (United States)

Energetic ions interact with materials by collisions with the nuclei and electrons of the atoms that make up the material. In these collisions energy and momentum is transferred from the projectile particle which is a moving atom or ion, to the target particles (atomic nucleus or electron). Each collision leads to a slowing down of the moving projectile and also a deflection of the trajectory which gives rise to the term scattering which is often used synonymously to describe the energy transfer process. In this chapter, we introduce from an experimental viewpoint the underlying theory for interaction of ions for analysis and modification of nanometer scale materials. A more detailed theoretical overview of the topic can be found in the recent monographs by Sigmund. Detailed derivations of the formulae introduced will not be given here but can be found in standard texts that are ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full Text: Smallstage Dualbeam (SDB) systems, that is a Focussed Ion Beam column coupled with a SEM column, have been around for about five years now. There impact on the Semiconductor industry has been enormous, with virtually every lab having a SDB to produce, characterise and analyse cross sections and TEM samples on the Nano-scale. But what about other industries? What else can SDB system be used for? The SEM column in itself is a very powerful tool for sample characterisation, modification and analysis. An electron beam from a Tungsten or Thermal Field Emission source has enough current to allow sophisticated patterns to be created in photo-resist samples, a process known as lithography. The current is also high enough to allow for a process known as Electron Beam Induced Deposition (EBID), where the beam interacts with an introduced gas and material is deposited in a controlled manner on the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The organization of organic semiconductor molecules in the active layer of organic electronic devices has important consequences to overall device performance. This is due to the fact that molecular organization directly affects charge carrier mobility of the material. Organic field-effect transistor (OFET) performance is driven by high charge carrier mobility while bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells require balanced hole and electron transport. By investigating the properties and device performance of three structural variations of the fluorenyl hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (FHBC) material, the importance of molecular organization to device performance was highlighted. It is clear from {sup 1}H NMR and 2D wide-angle X-ray scattering (2D WAXS) experiments that the sterically demanding 9,9-dioctylfluorene groups are preventing {pi}-{pi} intermolecular contact in the hexakis-substituted FHBC 4. For ...

CERN Document Server

The combination of large thickness ($>3$ $\\mu$m), large--area uniformity (75 mm diameter), high growth rate (up to 0.4 $\\mu$m/min) in assemblies of complex--shaped nanowires on lithographically defined patterns has been achieved for the first time. The nanoscale and the microscale have thus been blended together in sculptured thin films with transverse architectures. SiO$_x$ ($x\\approx 2$) nanowires were grown by electron--beam evaporation onto silicon substrates both with and without photoresist lines (1--D arrays) and checkerboard (2--D arrays) patterns. Atomic self--shadowing due to oblique--angle deposition enables the nanowires to grow continuously, to change direction abruptly, and to maintain constant cross--sectional diameter. The selective growth of nanowire assemblies on the top surfaces of both 1--D and 2--D arrays can be understood and predicted using simple geometrical shadowing equations.

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesFirst comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical properties of an epoxy adhesive in different environments using a nano-indenter. ~%~~%~Use AFM/SEM and finite element modelling to generate knowledge of the precise mechanism of indentation in the epoxy adhesive. ~%~~%~Develop an improved data reduction algorithm for generating meaningful mechanical property data from indentation tests for adhesive materials.~%~ ~%~Validate the nano-indentation method of generating mechanical property data against [continued...]DescriptionThis project aims to address the problem of insufficient data on adhesive materials for effective modelling of joint behaviour in different environments. The methodology to be used is based on depth sensing indentation tests at different loads and rates and in different environments. Post-indentation deformation and recovery will be monitored by AFM and SEM and the indentation ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The thermal stability of nanoscale grains in cryomilled aluminum powders containing 1% diamantane was investigated. Diamantane is a diamondoid molecule consisting of 14 carbon atoms in a diamond cubic structure that is terminated by hydrogen atoms. The nanostructures of the resulting cryomilled powders were characterized using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The average grain size was found to be on the order of 22?nm, a value similar to that obtained for cryomilled Al without diamantane. To determine thermal stability, the powders were heated in an inert gas atmosphere at constant temperatures between 423 and 773?K (0.51T m to 0.83T m) for exposure times of up to 10?h. The average grain size for all powders containing diamantane was obse...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A ferritic steel with finely dispersed precipitates was investigated to reveal the fundamental strengthening mechanisms. The steel has a yield strength of 760MPa, approximately three times higher than that of conventional Ti-bearing high strength hot-rolled sheet steels, and its ultimate tensile strength reaches 850MPa with an elongation-to-failure value of 18%. Using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), fine carbides TiC with an average diameter of 10nm were observed in the ferrite matrix of the 0.08%Ti steel, and some cubic M23C6 precipitates were also observed at the grain boundaries and the interior of the grains. The finely dispersed TiC precipitates in the matrix provide matrix strengthening. The estimated magnitude of precipitation ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The relationship between microstructure and macro properties of different cementitious materials has been investigated. This study consists of the following tasks: using NMR and IR to better characterize the amorphous and poorly crystalline phases that occur in blended cements; characterizing the microstructure of the hydration products of modified Portland cement as a function of different percentages of pozzolan replacements by ESEM, SEM, and EDS; comparing the properties of blended cement pastes with a control group of normal Portland cements; and studying the engineering aspects of blended cement that are important for identifying and characterizing fundamental phenomena that are responsible for their durability. The overall influence of the nanoscale and microscale structure of blended and Portland cement on the properties of the resultant composite will be discussed.

CERN Document Server

The emergence of nanoscience has increased the importance of experiments able to probe the very local structure of materials, especially for disordered and heterogeneous systems. This is technologically important; for example, the nanoscale structure of glassy polymers has a direct correlation with their macroscopic physical properties. We have discovered how a local, high frequency dynamic process can be used to monitor and even predict macroscopic behavior in glassy polymers. Polyvinylethylenes vitrified by different chemical and thermodynamic pathways exhibit different densities in the glassy state. We find that the rate and amplitude of a high frequency relaxation mode (the Johari-Goldstein process involving local motion of segments of the chain backbone) can either correlate or anti-correlate with the density. This implies that neither the unoccupied (free) volume nor the configurational entropy governs the local dynamics in any general ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been a very powerful tool to study nanoscale (1-100 nm) bulk structures in various materials such as polymer, self assembled materials, nano-porous materials, nano-magnetic materials, metal and ceramics. Understanding the importance of the SANS instrument, the 8m SANS instrument was installed at the CN beam port of HANARO in 2001. However, without having a cold neutron source, the beam intensity is fairly low and the Q-range is rather limited due to short instrument length. In July 1, 2003, therefore, the HANARO cold neutron research facility project was launched and a state of the art 40m SANS instrument was selected as top-priority instrument. The development of the 40m SANS instrument was completed as a joint project between Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the HANARO in 2010. Here, we report the specification of a ...

Science.gov (United States)

We have investigated the nanotexture and crystallographic orientation of aragonite in a coral skeleton using synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Polarization-dependent STXM imaging at 40-nm spatial resolution was used to obtain an orientation map of the c-axis of aragonite on a focused ion beam milled ultrathin section of a Porites coral. This imaging showed that one of the basic units of coral skeletons, referred to as the center of calcification (COC), consists of a cluster of 100-nm aragonite globules crystallographically aligned over several micrometers with a fan-like distribution and with the properties of single crystals at the mesoscale. The remainder of the skeleton consists of aragonite single-crystal fibers in crystallographic continuity with the nanoglobules comprising the COC. Our observation provides information on the nm-scale processes that led to biomineral formation in this ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research highlights: #-># Morphological and chemical characterization at atomic scale of porous alumina layers anodised in ordered regimes. #-># Characterization based on the use of FEG-SEM, STEM-HAADF, STEM-EELS and STEM-X-EDS. #-># Nanoscale distribution of P-, C- and S-bearing species in the pore wall. - Abstract: Ordered porous alumina layers prepared by two-step anodising in phosphoric, oxalic and sulphuric acids have been characterized at sub-nanometer scale using electron microscopy techniques. FEG-SEM and STEM-HAADF images allowed estimating the pore size, cell wall and pore wall thicknesses of the layers. Nanoanalytical characterization has been performed by STEM-EELS and STEM-X-EDS. Detailed features of the spatial distribution of anions in the pore wall of the films have been obtained. Maximum concentration of P-species occurs, approximately, at the middle of the pore wall; adjacent to the pore for C-species, whereas the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method using a focused ion beam (FIB) to prepare a silicon amorphous material is presented. The method involves the redeposition of sputtered material generated during the interaction of the Ga{sup +} ion beam with a silicon substrate material. The shape and dimensions of this amorphous material are self-organized and reproducible. The stability of this amorphous material under electron irradiation was investigated in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electron irradiation can induce recrystallization of the amorphous material, resulting in the lateral and vertical growth, starting at an amorphous-crystalline interface, of polysilicon containing defects.

CERN Document Server

voltammetric methods. This remained evident for varying extents of silver dissolution. Ag(111) electrodes were oxidised in 0.1 M KCIO sub 4 solutions by a single swept ORC of 0.77x10 sup - sup 3 C cm sup - sup 2. The final rest potential of the Ag(111) working electrode was over the potential range of -36 mV to 114 mV versus the SCE where the silver islands of the reformed surface are believed to be unstable. Results show that a majority of silver islands of all sizes are stable with time, whereas the silver islands with irregular shapes tended to evolve to exhibit higher degrees of spherical geometry. Additionally, the position of the silver islands did not remain constant during the acquisition of STM images. Results from in situ STM demonstrated that the underlying step-terrace morphology of the Ag(111) electrodes did not remain constant with time. Both macroscale and nanoscale changes to the Ag(111) electrode surface were observed. It is concluded that this is ...

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesThe overall aim of this work is to use an in-situ FTIR probe to investigate selected heterogeneous catalysts in industrially relevant organic reactions. This approach will be broadly applicable to the UK fine chemical manufacturing base.~%~~%~The project has the following specific objectives:~%~~%~- To demonstrate and develop the use of an in-situ FTIR probe in a batch reactor at elevated temperatures (eg greater than 100 deg C) to monitor reactant usage and product formation.~%~~%~- To validat [continued...]DescriptionThis proposal concerns the in-situ study of catalytic processes and reaction kinetics. The catalysts concerned are microporous materials, such as, zeolites, containing pores and cavities of molecular dimensions. These catalysts constitute crystal reactors on a nanometer scale that are selective on a size and shape basis for organic molecules used in this ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We review the current status of Andreev reflection spectroscopy on the heavy fermions, mostly focusing on the case of CeCoIn5, a heavy-fermion superconductor with a critical temperature of 2.3 K. This is a well-established technique to investigate superconducting order parameters via measurements of the differential conductance from nanoscale metallic junctions. Andreev reflection is clearly observed in CeCoIn5 as in other heavy-fermion superconductors. Considering the large mismatch in Fermi velocities, this observation seemingly appears to disagree with the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) theory. The measured Andreev signal is highly reduced to the order of maximum ?13% compared to the theoretically predicted value (100%). The background conductance exhibits a systematic evolution in its asymmetry over a wide temperature range from above the heavy-fermion coherence temperature down to well below the superconducting transition temperature. Analysis of the ...

Wastenet

... 300710+Ceramic+Transactions+Series 2120%28Series+Code%29+Ceramic+Transactions+Series Wiley::Ceramic Transactions Series WILEY KNOWLEDGE FOR GENERATIONS United States Change Location Home ...CART | MY ACCOUNT | CONTACT US | HELP Home / Engineering & Materials Science / Materials Science / Ceramic Transactions Series Related Subjects Soft Matter Organic Electronics Structural Materials, ... Ceramics Structural Materials, Composites Structural Materials or Construction Materials Corrosion Electronics Materials Related Series Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings Wiley Series in Materials ...for Electronic and Optoelectric Applications Ceramic Transactions (CTs) books contain papers presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Ceramic Society, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This section of the report is concerned with the study of the metallisation, oxidation and doping of materials which are of importance to the micro-electronics industry. The Van de Graaff accelerator and radioactive tracers are used for studying surface and sub-surface behaviour of these materials.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This is the final report of a three-year, Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The primary aim of this project is to obtain a basic scientific understanding of electrical transport processes at interfaces that contain an organic electronic material. Because of their processing advantages and the tunability of their electronic properties, organic electronic materials are revolutionizing major technological areas such as information display. We completed an investigation of the fundamental electronic excitation energies in the prototype conjugated polymer MEH-PPV. We completed a combined theoretical/experimental study of the energy relation between charged excitations in a conjugated polymer and the metal at a polymer/metal interface. We developed a theoretical model that explains injection currents ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors study the nonuniformity of a-Si:H films obtained by the method of vacuum condensation, with the help of x-ray small-angle scattering (SLS) and transmission electron microscopy. Films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon are greatest interest, because the electronic properties of this material can be controlled by doping. As a result of the compensation of the ruptured bonds, and possibly, effects of melting, the properties of such films are analogous to those of singlecrystalline silicon. XLS enables a quantitative determination of the prameters of the regions of low electron density (RLD) in such objects.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The advent of aberration correction for electron microscope lenses has produced a significant advance in the improvement of resolution in microscopy. This improvement, while significant in itself, promises to have its most profound impact in materials science when it delivers quantitative information to challenge models and modellers. This capability for an electron microscope-modelling synergy to deliver useful results at the atomic level is not yet firmly established. For this reason, one of the major challenges for electron microscopy in materials science over this decade is to study systems where electron microscopists and modellers can work collaboratively. This paper explores some examples.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study investigated dose to bone tissue in electron beam therapy. Measurements were made using films and thermoluminescent dosimeters in a polystyrene phantom containing bone inhomogeneity for 15-MeV, 12-MeV, and 9-MeV electron beams. An increase in dose of approximately 18%, 12%, and 11%, for the three electron energies respectively, relative to the dose in polystyrene, was found for bone material having an electron density (relative to water) of 1.73. Measurements were also made using films for 15- and 9-Mev electrons in a phantom with a mandibular bone and teeth. A dose enhancement in bone of approximately 10% and 7%, respectively, for the two energies was found in the phantom where the electron density of bone was about 1.60. These results suggest that injury to bone is possible in those clinical situations where high doses of ...

Science.gov (United States)

For coupled quantum wires and dots, tunneling effects and coherent transport for quantum computing are being studied. In 2D systems, electron-hole bilayers for exciton...

Science.gov (United States)

... I3a. -YPE OF REPORT T7b 7,ME COVEE 14 DATE OF REPORT (Year, Month. ... the addition of various materials to the standard flare in order to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We review recent development in separations and mass spectrometric instrumentation for sensitive and high-throughput proteomic analyses. These efforts have been primarily focused on the development of high-efficiency (separation peak capacity of ~103) nanoscale liquid chromatography (nanoLC; e.g., flow rates extending down to ~20 nL/min at optimal separation linear velocities through narrow packed capillaries) in combination with advanced mass spectrometry (MS), including high sensitivity and high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) MS. This technology enables MS analysis of low nanogram-level proteomic samples (i.e., nanoscale proteomics) with individual protein identification sensitivity at the low zeptomole-level. The resultant protein measurement dynamic range can reach 106 for nanogram-sized proteomic samples, while more abundant proteins can be detected from complex sub-picogram size proteome samples. The average ...

Science.gov (United States)

This article reports research findings related to converging formats, media, practices, and ideas in the process of academics' interaction with electronic texts during a research project. The findings are part of the results of a study that explored interactions of scholars in literary and historical studies with electronic texts as primary materials. Electronic texts were perceived by the study participants as fluid entities because the electronic environment promotes seamless interactions with a variety of media and formats. Working with electronic texts combines some traditional information and research practices into new patterns of information behavior. The practice called "netchaining" combines aspects of networking with information-seeking practices to establish and shape online information chains, which link sources and people. Different forms of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report the implementation of positron wave function and lifetime calculations in the all-electron full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. Calculations of lifetimes for more than 30 materials with two different forms of the enhancement factor were done and compared to prior calculations and experiment. We find that reasonable agreement with experiment can be obtained within the local density approximation when all-electron full-potential calculations are done.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The tool materials durability problem, in particular shock and wear resistance, has allowed to formulate a set of requirements and also to stablish the dependence between physical properties and wear. However, for understanding the nature of the process, for example determining the tribological property of the cutting tool, it is necessary to consider the atom interactions in a crystal. A theoretical study of the physical properties of cutting tool materials (W-Ti-C) with varying concentration of titanium is presented. Total and partial local electronic density for each atom in such hard solutions were calculated. (nevyjel)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ElectroScan environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) is one of the most exciting new developments in the field of Electron Microscopy. The ESEM differs from conventional Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) by being able to examine materials including liquids and oils in their natural state with no prior sample preparation. Accessory equipment, cooling, heating and manipulating devices allow the manipulation of samples thus making it possible for the first time to image dynamic processes such as wetting, drying, absorption, corrosion, melting, crystallisation, curing and fracturing at high magnification. Papers concerning the historical development of the ESEM are given in a bibliography at the end of this paper. 24 refs., 18 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sol-gel chemistry has a great many potential applications in the preparation of unique electrochemical materials, from non-equilibrium transition metal oxides which may be of use as high energy density electrodes, to high-surface area mixed oxides which may possess high proton conductivity, to novel composite structures consisting of inorganic gels in combination with organic, electronic, and ionic conductors. This paper reviews prior work on proton conduction in gel systems and presents recent work regarding electrode materials prepared by sol-gel methods and inorganic-organic materials.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A zinc/air battery is claimed whose performance is improved by omitting separating elements such as diaphragms etc. The cathode and anode spaces are separated by a collector with holes big enough to permit the electrons to pass freely while restraining the anode material. Further, the active material consists of a spherical care of inert material with a zinc coating. Under the zinc coating, the spherical particles have another thin coating of an electropositive material, e.g. nickel. The cell also contains means for circulating the anode suspension.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present study is focused on preparation of nano composite materials and the effect of citric acid on their different properties. The formation of nano HA and its interaction with chitosan (C), gelatin (G) polymers and citric acid (CA) materials were studied. The Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize these composite materials. The compressive strength (CS) was also measured to know the reinforcement of the prepared composites. The results show that carboxylic and amino groups play crucial role for HA formation on chitosan-gelatin polymeric matrix in the presence of citric acid (CA). The formation of nano HA part...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A brief description of the physical process of dose enhancement effects produced by X-ray radiation on materials is given, with emphasis on the influence on electronic devices. The damages caused by X-ray radiation dose enhancement is more serious than that of #gamma#-ray with higher energy.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - This paper aims to describe the technology and applications of nanocomposite materials. Design/methodology/approach - This paper discusses products, applications and technological developments in polymer, ceramic and metal nanocomposites. It concludes with a brief consideration of electronic component applications. Findings - It is shown that polymer nanocomposites and the materials used in their production are commercially available and finding applications in several industries, including automotive, military, food, electronics and leisure, due to their enhanced mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Ceramic and metallic nanocomposites are at an earlier stage of development and a critical issue to resolve is optimising the dispersion of nanomaterials in the matrices. Pa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research highlights: {yields} The use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of the dynamical charge transfer across hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces and for the intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of organic thin films is reviewed. {yields} The electronic coupling to the substrate and the efficiency of charge transport across hybrid interfaces is different for individual electronic subsystems of the molecular adsorbate. {yields} The intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of discotic liquid crystals occurs on the order of a few femtoseconds and is faster than expected from the macroscopic charge transport characteristics of the material. -- Abstract: The focus of this brief review is the use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of two important problems relevant for the field of organic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent development in application of a focused ion beam (FIB) technique to preparation of thin foil specimens for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation has been reviewed. Combined technique of FIB/TEM enables one to analyze those microstructures which have been almost impossible or very difficult to analyze so far. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The adhesion strength of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) on aluminum was investigated using density functional theory-based total energy calculations. Aluminum atom was connected to a PBT monomer at different orientations and total energies were calculated in order to determine the most stable orientation. The energy differences showed that the Al oriented at 180degree with the ester group of the monomer bonded strongly. Using this orientation, the PBT monomer-adhesion on aluminum surface and the aluminum atom adhesion on PBT bulk were also investigated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Titanium and aluminum alkoxide derivatives with polymerizable ligands such as 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethylacetoacetate (HAAEMA), oleic acid and geraniol (HOGE) have been obtained. The various compounds have been characterized by FT-IR and NMR {sup 1}H. Copolymerization with styrene and divinylbenzene affords porous doped organic materials which have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, density measurements.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A formula is obtained which describes the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening caused by creation of dislocation loops of interstitial type during irradiation. The radiation hardening of aluminum and vanadium is estimated using this formula and results of experiments on studying processes of nucleation and growth of interstitial dislocation loops in these materials by transparent electron microscopy. It is shown that the proposed formula is valid for description of the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) test setup for electron gun testing has been developed. The development of next generation light sources and accelerators require development of klystron as a radio frequency power source, and in turn electron gun. This UHV electron gun test setup can be used to test the electron guns ranging from high average current, quasi-continuous wave to high peak current, single pulse etc. An electron gun has been designed, fabricated, assembled and tested for insulation up to 80 kV under the programme to develop high power klystron for future accelerators. Further testing includes the electron emission parameters characterization of the cathode, as it determines the development of a reliable and efficient electron gun with high electron emission current and high life time as well. This needs a clean ultra ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Glass ceramics are commonly used as sealing materials for planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The major requirements of stack and module builders for these materials are the stability of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), excellent bonding (sticking) behaviour and the absence of volatile ingredients, which can lead to changes of the material properties and the sealing ability. SCHOTT Electronic Packaging has developed special glasses and glass-ceramics for various solid oxide fuel cell designs and operating temperatures. The glass compositions are based on the system MgO-Al2O3-BaO-SiO2-B2O3. In this study the evaluation of the developed materials was done by high temperature aging tests for up to 1000h, high temperature XRD-studies and Rietveld calculations, combined with scann...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

As lithium battery technology sets out to bridge the gap between portable electronics and the electrical automotive industry, cathode materials still stand as the bottleneck regarding performances. In the realm of highly attractive polyanion-type structures as high-voltage cathode materials, the sulfate group (SO4)^2^- possesses an acknowledged superiority over other contenders in terms of open circuit voltage arising from the inductive effect of strong covalent S-O bonds. In parallel, novel lithium insertion mechanisms are providing alternatives to traditional intercalation, enabling reversible multi-electron processes securing high capacities. Combining both of these advantageous features, we report here the successful electrochemical reactivity of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A one-nanometer scale transmission electron microscope electron probe X-ray microanalysis characterization of as-deposited and annealed aluminum--11.5 at.% zirconium multilayer samples in cross-section synthesized by magnetron sputtering is reported on here. Composition line profiles were acquired across Zr layers in as-deposited material and samples isochronally annealed in a differential scanning calorimeter to temperatures of 290 C and 485 C. A spatial resolution of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 nm was achieved in these experiments and will be improved by deconvolution of the instrumental electron probe function from the data. The as-deposited structure consisted of crystalline Al and Zr layers with thin amorphous layers at the Al/Zr interfaces. The amorphous interface layers increased in thickness upon annealing to 290 C. Additionally, at 290 C a metastable cubic alloy forms at the Zr deposited on Al ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The interfaces between metal electrodes and electroactive organic materials are important for the performance of organic electronic devices. One way of optimizing the anode/organic interface is the insertion of a (sub-)monolayer of molecular acceptors. Here we present an UPS study of new electron acceptor molecules deposited on Au(111), Cu(111) and Ag(111). This study intends to improve the understanding of how the interactions of specific electron withdrawing groups with metal surfaces are correlated with observed modifications of interfacial electron density distribution, work function change ({delta}{phi}), and the energy level alignment. We find that {delta}{phi}, which is the difference between the work function ({phi}) of the clean metal surface and {phi} after formation of a molecular monolayer, is a monotonic function of initial {phi} of the metal. Two different slopes were ...

Science.gov (United States)

Electron charge distributions are presented for Nb3Ge, Nb3Al, and two hypothetical A-15 structures. Results indicate that the bonding in these materials is mainly metallic in character with some covalentlike bonding between Nb-chain atoms. We find significant coupling between neighboring chains and also between chain atoms and atoms at the cubic site. Comparison is made with various theoretical models. Investigation of the charge character of states near EF suggests further developments in current theories on the structural transformation of A-15 compounds. The effect of chain dimerization on electronic states and charge distribution of Nb3Ge is also investigated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the most challenging topics in the area of organic electronic devices is the growth of transparent electrodes onto flexible polymeric substrates that will be characterized by enhanced conductivity in combination with high optical transparency. An essential aspect for these materials is their synthesis and/or microstructure which define the transparency, the stability and the interfacial chemistry which in turn determine the performance and stability of the organic electronic devices, such as organic light emitting diodes, organic photovoltaics, etc. In this work, we will discuss the latest advances in the growth of organic (e.g. PEDOT:PSS) and inorganic (e.g. zinc oxide-ZnO, indium tin oxide-ITO) conductive materials and their deposition onto flexible polymeric substrates. We will compare the optical, structural, nano-mechanical and nano-topographical properties of the inorganic and organic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For the purpose of proposing it to ISO, the R and D were conducted of a new evaluation method of thermal properties of polymer materials. The FY 1999 results were summarized. In this fiscal year, the development of the ac Joule heating equipment was proceeded with based on the study at the technical committee, and the measuring device was installed. In the comparative measurement with conventional methods, study was proceeded with of the laser flash method, AC calorimetry method and specific heat measurement. In the technical survey, the developmental state of the ac method, especially, was examined as a testing method of thermal properties of polymer materials. It is in the stage of the basic research by keyword selection, and the search for literature is to be made in full scale. As to the needs in the industrial circle, as a result of the questionnaire survey made, it was found out that there were a wide variety of the needs for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research and development has been performed on photochromic materials expected to be used in ultra-high density recording, high resolution indication and photoswitches. With regard to molecular orientation in the ternary system mixed LB film, the result of structural analysis by XPM spectrum revealed that the acceptor constituent in the LB film is so structured that it is separated and laminated with two other constituents, and that the sensitizer constituent and the donor constituent are not recognized of being separated definitely. Regarding the electron movement reaction in the solid phase system, a photo-current measuring experiment was carried out on the laminated film which is vacuum-deposited with the ternary system comprising of the donor, sensitizer, and acceptor. It was concluded that the observed photo-current reflects the electron movement reaction in the solid phase as it is. For the photo-current in the LB ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method for detecting electrons emitted as secondary particles by photon incidence to a specimen, as well as a method of using the photons emitted by electron incidence as detecting particles are explained. Pd-Si(100)2{times}1 system is adopted for a case study of using photo-electron spectroscopy where synchrotron emitted light in soft X-ray region is used as the incident light. Pd atoms are deposited little by little on clean Si surface to investigate the electron structure of the surface, and the interface electron structure after bonded formation of Pd(thin film)-Si(substrate) is estimated. Radiation soft X-ray spectroscopy is employed to observe the real state of the bonded interface of Pd(thin film)-Si(substrate) prepared by depositing Pd film in a short period of time. In the case of radiation soft X-ray spectroscopy with electron beam excitation, bonded ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Treatment with gamma and electron radiation is becoming a common process for the sterilization of packages, mostly made of natural or synthetic plastics, used in the aseptic processing of foods and pharmaceuticals. The effect of irradiation on these materials is crucial for packaging engineering to understand the effects of these new treatments. Packaging material may be irradiated either prior to or after filling. The irradiation prior to filling is usually chosen for dairy products, processed food, beverages, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Radiation effects on packaging material properties still need further investigation. This paper summarizes the work done by different groups and discusses recent developments in regulations and testing procedures in the field of packaging technology.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements of ion-induced electron emission have been performed with helium and argon ions with energies between 300 and 900 eV on W, W with 10% Ti, Al, Al with 1% Cu, Al with 1% Si, Si, and Be. This article describes many of the important surface characteristics that influence the ion-induced electron emission. For low-energy ions, the substrate material was found to be less important as the velocity of the incident ion decreased. In the case of incident Ar"+ the substrate material had a negligible effect on the emission for this energy range. The presence of an adsorbed layer enhanced emission in all cases. Heating the substrates resulted in oxidation of the surfaces and a subsequent increase in emission. The electron emission from aluminum samples with smaller grain sizes was higher than samples of identical composition with larger grains. This effect is due to the greater ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In a vacuum insulator, the narrow electron beam emitted from the cathode impinges on the anode and raises its temperature and also may produce high thermal stress. This high thermal stress, in conjuction with the surface electrostatic pressure may rupture the surface and detach particles from it. In this thesis, the interaction of high energy electron and laser beams with metals and semiconductors is investigated. The differential equations governing the physical processes involved in the interaction are solved by the finite element method. Effects of beam penetration into the material, variable beam reflectance at the surface, finite beam size and dependence of material properties on temperature are accounted for. The two-phase moving boundary problem, also known as the Stefan problem, is solved by an enthalpy formulation of the heat equation. Material deformation by thermal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fuel cells based on solid oxides ('SOFC') are excellent alternative devices for power generation, when they are operated at high temperature, e.g. above 600 C. Having only fixed parts for the power generating part of the device is only one advantage of the fuel cell. Due to their unique design, these devices offer a maximum of efficiency for energy conversion compared to conventional power generating systems, which are mainly based on turbines. One aim of this thesis is the examination of alternative electrolyte and cathode materials for the SOFC applications at reduced temperatures, which means in the temperature range between 600 C and 750 C. For the first main task, several materials from the oxygen ion conducting electrolytes were selected. Different strontium and magnesium doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM) materials with additional transition metal doping were selected and prepared via two different ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The grain boundary crystallographic misorientations of magnetic-pulse-welded (MPW) aluminum alloy (AA) 6061-T6 in linear and tubular configurations were examined using the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. A refined structure of heavily deformed grains with higher grain boundary angles was observed in linear welds. Significant spalling was observed away from the joints, in the interior of tubular welds. The results show the complex interaction of shock waves with the materials during this impact welding process.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, we review some of the work our group has done in the past few years to obtain the electron self-energy of high temperature superconductors by analysis of angle-resolved photoemission data. We focus on three examples which have revealed: (1) a d-wave superconducting gap, (2) a collective mode in the superconducting state, and (3) pairing correlations in the pseudogap phase. In each case, although a novel result is obtained which captures the essence of the data, the conventional physics used leads to an incomplete picture. This indicates that new physics needs to be developed to obtain a proper understanding of these materials.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The fatigue properties of EP539LM alloy with an Al-Nb-Si fused slurry coating and a Co-Cr-Al-Y electron-beam coating are investigated experimentally in vacuum and in air at 900 C. It is found that the protective coatings reduce the fatigue life of the specimens both in vacuum and in air, with the electron-beam coating affecting the fatigue life of the alloy to a lesser degree than the fused slurry coating. The negative effect of the coatings on the fatigue life of the alloy is attributed largely to the properties of the coating material. 7 references.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanometre-sized materials, like nanowires, nanoparticles or nanobelts, are gaining huge interest as building blocks of modern electronic nanodevices. Their fabrication feasibility has been demonstrated in the last years, and different routes are already well established in order to synthesize these materials. However, the assessment of their electrical properties is still a challenging issue, due to the difficulty to perform a precise nanolithography process allowing the access to such small structures. The fabrication of metallic contacts with precision in the nanometre range is necessary, as well as achieving a flexible system that allows to contact individual structures. Such a system could be a dual-beam Focused Ion Beam instrument, which combines Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Focused Ion Beam (FIB) in one machine, able to assist deposition of materials with nanometre ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electron beam (EB) processing involves using electrons to initiate polymerization or cross-linking reactions in suitable substrates, thereby enhancing specific physical and chemical properties. A relatively new use of EB processing is now emerging: the production of fibre-reinforced composites. EB curing at ambient temperature has the potential to reduce the residual stresses in an advanced composite, a result of expansion during thermal curing, and to significantly increase the overall cure speed and process throughput. Wood fibres are used as a filler material for various thermoplastics such as polypropylene. EB treatment, combined with selected EB-curable coupling agents, significantly increases the adhesion between the wood fibres and the thermoplastic polymer, resulting in improved material properties. Work to develop both products and processes for the EB curing of fibre-reinforced composites is ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Fine-grained BaTiO3-based X7R ceramic materials were prepared and the effects of milling process on the core-shell structures and dielectric properties were investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). As the milling time extends, the dielectric constant of the ceramics increases, whereas the temperature coefficient of capacitance at 125degreeC drops quickly. The changes in dielectric properties are considered relevant to the microstructure evolution caused by the milling process. Defects on the surface of BaTiO3 particles increase because of the effects of milling process, which will make it easier for additives to diffuse into the interior grains. As the milling time increases, the shell region gets thicker a...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The projector augmented-wave (PAW) method was developed by Bloechl as a method to accurately and efficiently calculate the electronic structure of materials within the framework of density-functional theory. It contains the numerical advantages of pseudopotential calculations while retaining the physics of all-electron calculations, including the correct nodal behavior of the valence-electron wave functions and the ability to include upper core states in addition to valence states in the self-consistent iterations. It uses many of the same ideas developed by Vanderbilt in his open-quotes soft pseudopotentialclose quotes formalism and in earlier work by Bloechl in his open-quotes generalized separable potentials,close quotes and has been successfully demonstrated for several interesting materials. We have developed a version of the PAW formalism for general use in structural and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Polyester WPC (wood-polymer composite) systems are one of the promising materials for multiple uses increasing the mechanical properties, provided that their dimensional stability can be improved. Possibility was pursued for the improvement in the dimensional stability of the polyester WPC systems prepared by electron beam irradiation. The impregnation of the mixture of polyester and monomer into both oven-dried beech veneers and preswollen wood was followed by mutual irradiation process. Polymerization was carried out at total dosage of 6 Mrad to the respective surfaces of samples by an electron beam accelerator, and the reaction was completed by heating at 80 deg C for 24 hr. The dimensions of the samples were measured primarily in the tangential direction, and their dynamic modulus and loss modulus were measured by a Rheovibron DDV-2 and the vibrating reed method. The results and the discussion are given for the reaction ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A survey is given on studies of the phonon spectra of several A-15 compounds by inelastic neutron scattering on polycrystalline samples. Comparison of the results for V_3Si, V_3Ge, N_3Ga, Nb_3Sn and Nb_3Al at 297 K lead to the conclusion that the interatomic forces are to a good approximation the same for all compounds with 4.75 valence electrons but are reduced by about 20% for those with 4.5 valence electrons. For all compounds investigated a softening of the phonon frequencies on cooling is observed which is most pronounced for those materials with the highest T/sub c/ values. From a comparison of the results with the experimentally determined Eliashberg function of Nb_3Sn information is derived about the energy dependence of the electron-phonon coupling function #alpha#"2.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The advent of carbon nanotubes, which are graphite layers convoluted in cylinders several nanometers in diameter and several micrometers in length, as well as the experiments on implanting metal atoms in such tubes open the way to producing nanoconductors and other materials with unique properties. For theorists, the basic challenge is interpreting and predicting the structure and properties of these systems. The linearized augmented-plane-wave method (LAPW) is one of the most accurate methods in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. A generalization of this method for quasi-two-dimensional systems, surface electronic states, and layered crystals is known. The LAPW theory for quasi-unidimensional systems, which exhibit translational symmetry in one direction, has been absent thus far. In this paper, the authors suggest a version of such a theory and use this method to calculate the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We demonstrate control and improvement of charge injection in organic electronic devices by utilizing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to manipulate the Schottky energy barrier between a metal electrode and the organic electronic material. Hole injection from Cu electrodes into the electroluminescent conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy,5-(2{sup {prime}}-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] was varied by using two conjugated-thiol based SAMs. The chemically modified electrodes were incorporated in organic diode structures and changes in the metal/polymer Schottky energy barriers and current{endash}voltage characteristics were measured. Decreasing (increasing) the Schottky energy barrier improves (degrades) charge injection into the polymer. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Beside traditional applications of refractory metals, e.g. in high temperature furnace construction, lighting or glass industry, one of the most important molybdenum products nowadays are large plates which are frequently used as targets for the sputtering of molybdenum layers in thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays. For the hot rolling of the sintered pre-material, the control over the recovery and recrystallization behavior is of particular importance. Molybdenum tends to a very recovery controlled behavior during hot deformation, at which the dislocations arrange into subcell boundaries instantaneously. These pronounced recovery processes seem to consume a large amount of the stored deformation energy for the actual recrystallization. On the other hand, recovery provides the future recrystallization nuclei. For a comprehensive characterization of these microstructural processes, electron microscopy appears to be the most proper ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Some magnetron sputtering systems experience rapid oscillations in the current and voltage of the plasma discharge after several hours when equipped with certain targets. These oscillations often lead to the plasma becoming extinguished, a condition known as ''flame-out.'' This article details the study of two 90% W--10% Ti magnetron targets which differed in density. The higher density targets sometimes experienced flame-out after approximately 3 h of sputtering. The less dense material could be sputtered for the entire 15 h life of the target. Scanning electron microscopy pictures and atomic composition depth profiles were obtained using Auger electron spectroscopy. In addition, a Colutron-based ion source with a high vacuum system was used to measure ion-induced secondary electron emission coefficients as a function of energy, ion specie, and gas coverage. Analysis of the sample from the group that ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The results of theoretical and experimental investigations, describing the effect of ionizing radiation on wood and its main components and methods for production of wood-plastic composites by means of radiation-induced chemical modification are generalized. Domestic and foreign experience in their production is systematized; physico-mechanical characteristics of new material, simulation and calculation of irradiating devices, as well as calculation and experimental study of #gamma#-radiation attenuation both by wood material and by wood of different species are given. Gamma sources ("6"0Co isotope, a hot loop of a nuclear reactor) as well as electron accelerators are considered as ionizing radiation sources.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Presented are the results of the investigation of the kinetics and micromechanism of the failure in impact bending of oriented-crystallized specimens having the eutectic composition Ni_3Al-Ni_3Nb and of the bimetal composed of 45 steel + M3 copper. The failure kinetics was studied by high-speed filming, whereas the fractures were studied by electron fractography. The particularities of the failure of the laminar-type composite materials were found. Analyzed was the effect of the kinetic factors and the mechanism of failure upon its energy consumption.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The meeting was arranged into the following sessions: introductory; advanced ceramics and ceramic composites; ceramic and metal matrix composites; electronic materials and devices; acoustoelasticity, stress, and texture; composites-porosity, strength, and UT propagation; process modeling and monitoring; thermal wave physics; material properties, composites, surfaces, and interfaces; acoustic emission; ferromagnetic materials; new sensors; NDE reliability assessment; elastic wave scattering and propagation; image analysis, data storage, and signal processing; UT transducers; weldments and bonded materials; eddy current models; unified life cycle engineering; x rays, CT, and NMR; eddy current probes and instruments; acoustic microscopy imaging, and reconstruction; signal processing, measurement techniques, and systems; NDE applications of artificial intelligence; crack behavior ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development of rechargeable lithium batteries with a high mass capacity, made with non-toxic and low cost materials is an important industrial challenge. Morphological and structural modifications occurring in the electrode materials during charge-output cycles should not lower the electrochemical characteristics and the cycling properties of the battery. Thus the structure of electrode materials must be sufficiently deformable and stable to support the constraints linked with lithium intercalation and de-intercalation (ions and electrons absorption/extraction). The aim of this work is to explain some characteristics (mass capacity, ions and electrons mobility, cycling) using the relation between some mechanisms of lithium insertion (sites occupation, lattice reduction mods) and the nature of atoms and chemical bonds (covalence, ionicity). This approach is developed on 2-D ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electronic structure of the C15, or cubic-Laves-phase material, UAl/sub 2/ has been calculated using the linearized relativistic augmented-plane-wave method. The anomalous behavior of the electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility can be explained by the fine structure of the density of states near the Fermi energy alone, without the necessity of the introduction of drastic spin fluctuations or many-body effects.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Materials with high electrical conductivity and optical transparency are needed for future flat panel display, solar energy, and other opto-electronic technologies. In_xCd_1-xO...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

TEM and HRTEM have been used to characterise the microstructures of materials formed by hot-pressing silicon nitride with an Al_2O_3-SiO_2-TiO_2 densification aid system, to form #beta#'-sialon-TiN composites in which the TiN particles are of 20-100 nm dimension. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The history of explosives vapor detection includes almost every detection strategy known to man. Initial attempts to utilize these techniques were dismal failures. However, with the development of the Electron Capture Detector (ECD), the first promising detection of explosives vapors became possible. The present commercial explosives detectors detect the higher vapor pressure materials but not the whole spectrum. This paper describes the basic properties of explosives molecules and our research to utilize these properties for increased detection sensitivity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes activities of the Amarillo National Resource Center for Plutonium during the quarter. The report describes the Electronic Resource Library; DOE support activities; current and future environmental health and safety programs; pollution prevention and pollution avoidance; communication, education, training, and community involvement programs; and nuclear and other material studies, including plutonium storage and disposition studies.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electron microscopic observations of neutron irradiated Nb_3Sn revealed the presence of highly disordered regions of size approximately 35 A in a much less disordered matrix. This observation is shown to provide a means of explaining quantitatively many superconducting properties of irradiated A-15 compounds. In particular Tsub(c) of the irradiated materials could be easily predicted using the mathematical formulations developed for the proximity effect. (Auth.).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Electrostatic separation has already proved to be an effective means for the recycling of granular plastics from industrial wastes. The aim of the present work was to optimize the operation of a novel device that could ensure effective triboelectric charging of such materials prior to their selective sorting in a high-intensity electric field. The experiments were performed on two sorts of mm-size granular materials Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and High Impact Polystyrene, originating from the processing of waste electric and electronic equipment. The samples were introduced in a Polyvinyl Chloride cylinder, where a co-axial propeller entrained the plastic granules into a helical motion that favored their triboelectric charging by combining the mechanical and aerodynamical effects. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By applying lock-in thermography imaging, light-beam-induced current imaging, electron-beam-induced current imaging at different stages of sample preparation, and infrared light microscopy in transmission mode, the physical nature of the dominant material-induced shunts in multicrystalline solar cells made from p-type silicon material has been investigated. It turns out that these shunts are due to silicon carbide (SiC) filaments, which grow preferentially in grain boundaries and cross the whole cell. These filaments are highly n-type doped, like the emitter layer on the surface of the cells. They are electrically connected both with the emitter and with the back contact, thereby producing internal shunts in the solar cell.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of the composition of multicomponent Zr-Ti-V-Mn-Cr-Ni alloys on their hydrogen-storage capacity and on the rate of electrosorption/desorption hydrogen was investigated under potentiodynamics as well as single-pulse and long-term galvanostatic conditions. The main characteristics of alloys and alloy electrodes were determined by their structural analysis by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, by specific surface area test and by determination of the hydrogen absorption/desorption isotherms in the gas/solid phase system. It was found that only the alloys with a manganese content below a threshold could be used as electrode materials for Ni-MH batteries, whereas the modification of the electrode material by micro-encapsulation of alloy particles should limit the dissolution of manganese from the electrode material in a strong alkaline solution. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of the present study is to develop a new method for chemical state analysis by means of EPMA(Electron probe microanalyser). The measured X-ray intensity of Si-K{beta} characteristic X-ray spectra were read-out by a 16 bit microcomputer with a RS-232C interface. And using the curve fitting method the quantitative analysis of chemical compositions in a ternary compound that constituted of the same element has been established. The present method was applied to analyse of the friction and wear properties of Si-base ceramics sliding materials. It was found that the wear debris contains both the compositions of the sliding materials and SiO{sub 2}, and the SiO{sub 2} contents in wear debris was changed with relative humidity. The results clearly showed that the proposed method is very useful for determing the compositions in the ternary compound. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nano-sized zinc oxide was synthesized and deposited onto cellulosic fibers using the sol-gel process at ambient temperature. The prepared materials were characterized using several techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction studies of the ZnO-coated fiber indicate formation of the hexagonal crystal phase which was satisfactory crystallized on the fiber surface. The electron micrographs show formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles within 10-15 nm in size which have been homogeneously dispersed on the fiber surface. The prepared materials show significant photocatalytic self-cleaning activity, which was monitored by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photoactivity was studied upon measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue and eosin ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Comprehensive investigation has been made into the application of the polymerization hardening by radiation, particularly electron beam, to the composites of polymers and other materials. The report is divided into four parts, namely 1) characteristics and problems of the reaction of curing by radiation polymerization, 2) improvement of the bonding capability of high molecular weight materials, 3) bonding by radiation, and 4) composites made by the impregnation and polymerization hardening of monomers. The first part includes the effects of dose rate, temperature rise during the hardening, the peculiarity of electron beam irradiation at high dose rate, reaction environment and additive effects. Main conclusions are as follows: caution must be taken to the amount of residual double bonds because they affect the quality of hardened polymers; the polymerization hardening reaction at high dose rate cannot ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper reports about in-situ corrosion studies on selected materials for long-term resistant high-level waste (HLW) packagings acting as a barrier in a rock salt repository. The materials (Ti 99.8-Pd, Hastelloy C4 and five iron-base materials) were investigated in heated boreholes in the Asse salt mine under simulated HLW disposal conditions prevailing in normal operation of repository and in certain accident scenarios. The experiments under normal operating conditions were performed at temperatures of 120 deg. C to 210 deg. C (vertical temperature profile in the boreholes) without and with gamma irradiation (3#centre dot#10"2 Gy/h, Co-60 source) within the framework of the German/US Brine Migration Test. In these experiments only small amounts of migrated brine inclusions (NaCl-rich) from the rock salt were present as corrosion medium. In the experiments carried out under simulated accident conditions with intrusion of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Within the framework of a study on the chemical wear behaviour of sialon ceramics a range of compositions were prepared in which the alumina content was varied from 6 to 77 weight percent. The materials were hot-pressed from alumina and silicon nitride powders to a density of at least 97%. The structure and compositions of the phases occurring in these samples i.e. the O' phase, #beta#'-sialon solid solution and especially the X-phase were thoroughly characterized with respect to structure and composition using electron microprobe and transmission electron microscopy techniques. These results will be discussed in the light of earlier phase diagram studies. Some basic properties such as E-modulus and toughness were measured and related to microstructural features. E-modulus as well as toughness are at a minimum for materials with a high content of the X-phase. Oxidation of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The manufacture and use of wood/plastic composite (WPC) as an example of wood matrix and wood sawdust/plastic composites (SDP) as an example of plastic matrix are reviewed. The raw material for WPC are mostly vinyl monomers, particularly methyl methacrylate and styrene. The reaction in WPC polymerization is radical polymerization. Researches on the radiation sources mostly resulted in gamma-ray. Electron beam can be applied only to thin products. The future use of WPC may be for furnitures, sporting goods, decorative parts and the like. Vital study on the reduction of manufacturing costs is required, for example, the improvement of reaction and the adoption of continuous process must be considered. The raw materials for SDP are wood sawdust, vinyl monomer (mostly methyl methacrylate) and resins. Electron beam accelerators are the most preferable radiation source because of its high efficiency and safe ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High quality graphene sheets are synthesized through efficient oxidation process followed by rapid thermal expansion and reduction by H2. The number of graphene layers is controlled by tuning the oxidation degree of GOs. The higher the oxidation degree of GOs is getting, the fewer the numbers of graphene layers can be obtained. The material is characterized by elemental analysis, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The obtained graphene sheets with single, triple and quintuplicate layers as anode materials exhibit a high reversible capacity of 1175, 1007, and 842 mA h g-1, respectively, which show that the graphene sheets with fewer layers have higher reversible capacity. -- Graphical abstract: The typical TEM images of the graphene sheets derived from GO3(a), GO2(b) and ...

CERN Document Server

Electronic Health Records

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The electromagnetic field due to an air explosion is here studied: neutron and the gamma-rays, generated by neutronic reactions, deposit energy which ionizes atmosphere; recoil electrons are also created by gamma collisions. This data set allows to solve the Maxwell equations which manage the electromagnetic field. The TRIPOLI-2 code studies the coupled neutron-gamma transport in 3D- geometries by the Monte Carlo method. The code has been modified to calculate the photon energy deposited in matter and the recoil electron current created by Compton effect. The method is tested wiht a simple case; then neutron and gamma transport is studied in air kerma, deposited photon energy, electron current are calculated as functions of space and time and the contributions of the different neutronic reactions are separately evaluated. The calculations presented here are only part of studies about this subject. Developments will relate ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We demonstrate tuning of Schottky energy barriers in organic electronic devices by utilizing chemically tailored electrodes. The Schottky energy barrier of Ag on poly[2-methoxy], 5-(2{prime}-ethyl-hexyloxy)- 1,4-phenylene was tuned over a range of more than 1 eV by using self-assembled monolayers (SAM{close_quote}s) to attach oriented dipole layers to the Ag prior to device fabrication. Kelvin probe measurements were used to determine the effect of the SAM{close_quote}s on the Ag surface potential. {ital Ab} {ital initio} Hartree-Fock calculations of the molecular dipole moments successfully describe the surface potential changes. The chemically tailored electrodes were then incorporated in organic diode structures and changes in the metal/organic Schottky energy barriers were measured using an electroabsorption technique. These results demonstrate the use of self-assembled monolayers to control metal/organic interfacial electronic properties. ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

New Materials for Surgery

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Biodegradable and green plastics are the new tendency in the world. The effect of the electron beam irradiation in aromatic aliphatic copolyester and the blend with corn starch films (Ecoflex"R and Ecobras"R) were studied by tensile strength at break, elongation at break, Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), crosslinking degree and biodegradability. The measurements in both, the machine direction and the transverse direction were made for mechanical tests. It was found that, the electron irradiation caused an increase in the strength at break of the blend with corn starch film, when doses of up to 10 kGy were applied. A significant decrease of the elongation at break of the blend with corn starch was observed at doses of 10 kGy and 40 kGy. It was not found important change in tensile properties for aromatic aliphatic copolyester. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

For almost 150 years, the two monotypic genera Trochodendron and Tetracentron (Trochodendraceae) have been considered to share an unusual and primitive feature in angiosperms - the lack of vessels in their wood. Therefore, they have been classified in a basal position in the angiosperms. Our observations by light microscopy, low-vacuum environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and high-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM) both in fresh and FAA-fixed materials consistently showed the presence of tracheary elements differentiated into two types in both genera. In Trochodendron, the tracheary elements can be divided into perforate vessel elements and imperforate fiber-tracheids and tracheids. The vessel elements show end and lateral walls. The pits on the end walls are elongate- ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, the influence of plasma nitriding at temperature 720 deg. C for 20 h on the surface microstructure and interface microstructure of electroplated chromium coating was investigated. In these conditions, interdiffusion, mixing and reaction phenomena of elements originating from the substrate and coating material are more likely to occur, thus increasing the bonding strength between the coating and carbon steel substrate. The change of the structures from the substrate side to the coating surface, and the effect of the substrate steel on the interface structure were studied by cross-sectional transmission electron microscope observation (XTEM). The nitride layer formed on the surface was analyzed by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). After treatment at above conditions a 6-7 #mu#m thick nitride compound layer was formed in surface region and the same thick carbide compound layer was also formed in the interface region between ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electron-beam codeposition of the elements to form certain high critical temperature superconducting materials, in particular A-15 compounds, has proven to be very useful in research directed at understanding and improving their superconducting properties. This work has used the close control of three or more evaporant sources to reproducibly make specimens that permit studies across selected regions of composition and phase space. The effect of composition and phase, together with the temperature and rate of deposition, on the growth morphology and superconducting properties has been studied. The superconducting properties measured include the critical temperature, ac loss, critical current density, and tunnel junction characteristics. The particular compounds studied include Nb_3Sn, Nb_3Ge, and V_3Si.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - This study aims to design and test some fixed-wing micro aerial vehicles (MAV). Design/methodology/approach - The MAV wing planform in this study was designed based on previous results and the need to reduce the weight of the MAV. The MAV had a wing planform with a 6 percent Gottingen-329 camber airfoil, a 20 swept-back leading edge and a straight trailing edge. The fuselage was designed to contain a motor, an electronic control system and a video camera with a built-in transmitter. The battery was located outside the fuselage to trim the center of gravity and enable the battery to be changed easily when it has run out. Two exaggerated vertical stabilizers were installed to prevent the MAV from rolling. The materials, the power plant and the electronics used to fabricate the MAV ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents results about the characterisation of the biomass fly ashes sourced from a thermal power plant and from a co-generation power plant located in Portugal, and the study of new cement formulations incorporated with the biomass fly ashes. The study includes a comparative analysis of the phase formation, setting and mechanical behaviour of the new cement-fly ash formulations based on these biomass fly ashes. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and environmental scanning electron spectroscopy (ESEM) were used to determine the structure and composition of the formulations. Fly ash F1 from the t...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study a modified solid state synthesis (auto-ignition method) is used to form nanosized spinel type material LiMg{sub 0.05}Ni{sub 0.45}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4}. This material presents a high voltage plateau at 4.75 V vs. Li/Li{sup +}. Structural and electrochemical characterisations have been performed using a wide range of techniques (TEM, neutron diffraction, galvanostatic measurements, and impedance spectroscopy). Besides, in situ XAS has been performed to monitor the evolution of Ni and Mn oxidation state during Li intercalation. The material presents an ordered cubic spinel structure, good capacity retention upon cycling (131 mAh g{sup -1} at C/10 and 117 mAh g{sup -1} at 1C) and good electronic conductivity (10{sup -6} S cm{sup -1} at RT). The simultaneous presence of Mn{sup 3+}/Mn{sup 4+} in the structure has been investigated and explained by inclusion of disordered nanodomains in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Volatile compounds produced in flexible food packaging materials (LDPE, EVAc, PET/PE/EVOH/PE) during electron beam irradiation were isolated by purge and trap technique and identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), after thermal desorption and concentration. For comparison purposes non-irradiated films were also studied. Film samples were irradiated at low (5 kGy, corresponding to cold pasteurization), intermediate (20 kGy, corresponding to cold sterilization) and high (100 kGy) doses. It was observed that a number of volatile compounds are produced after irradiation in all cases. Furthermore the amounts of all volatile compounds increase with increasing irradiation dose. Both primary (methyl-derivatives etc.) as well as secondary i.e. oxidation products (ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acids etc.) are produced upon irradiation. These products may affect organoleptic properties and thus shelf-life of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Displacements per atom (DPA) is a widely used damage unit for displacement damage in nuclear materials. Calculating the DPA for SiC irradiated in a particular facility requires a knowledge of the neutron spectrum as well as specific information about displacement damage in that material. In recent years significant improvements in displacement damage information for SiC have been generated, especially the energy required to displace an atom in an irradiation event and the models used to describe electronic and nuclear stopping. Using this information, numerical solutions for the displacement functions in SiC have been determined from coupled integro-differential equations for displacements in polyatomic materials and applied in calculations of spectral-averaged displacement cross sections for SiC. This procedure has been used to generate spectrally averaged displacement cross sections for SiC in a ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Here, a general approach for the preparation of reduced graphite oxide (rGO)-silver nanocomposite has been investigated. Graphite oxide (GO) sheets are used as the nanoscale substrates for the formation of rGO-silver composite. GO sheets and Ag ions can be reduced at the same time, under a mild condition using l-ascorbic acid (l-AA) as reducing agent. This simple approach should find practical applications in the production of rGO-silver nanocomposite. The SEM analysis indicates that the silver particles are dispersed on graphene sheets. Raman signals of rGO in the composite are increased by the attached silver nanoparticles, displaying surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity. The degree of enhancement can be adjusted by varying the quantity of silver nanoparticles in the composite. In ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanoscale islands of Cu2O have been synthesized on single-crystal SrTiO3 (100) substrates using oxygen plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy (OPA-MBE). Island growth location has been controlled by using an ex-situ Ga+ focused ion beam (FIB) to modify the growth surface in discrete locations prior to island synthesis. Analysis of Cu2O dot growth on unmodified substrate regions revealed an evolution of dot size and array density. Atomic force microscopy studies show that certain FIB substrate modification and MBE growth condition combinations lead to directed self-assembly of islands. Islands initially formed in the FIB-generated surface topography and filled those features before nucleating on neighboring unmodified surface regions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanoscale islands of Cu?O have been synthesized on single crystal SrTiO? (100) substrates using oxygen plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Island growth location has been controlled by using an ex-situ Ga? focused ion beam (FIB) to modify the growth surface in discrete locations prior to island sythesis. The FIB modifications have generated surface topography with lateral dimensions of 150-200 nm. Ex-situ AFM study after island growth reveals that certain FIB substrate modification and MBE growth condition combinations lead to directed self-assembly of metal oxide islands at the edges of the FIB modified zones.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nowadays, diamond and the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres constitute the best solid-state system in view of quantum-computing applications. It has also been shown recently that single NV centres could be used as nanoscale magnetic sensors. Such applications require the creation of single NV centres with very high resolution and with a high efficiency. The nano-implanter at the university of Bochum provides low energy nitrogen ions which can be implanted through a hole pierced in the tip of an atomic force microscope. Ultrapure diamond samples have been implanted with spot sizes of 50nm and less. Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy has been used to characterise and resolve the implanted spots.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Following comprehensive research nanomaterials or products which were either still in a re-search/development status or are already available in the marketplace were identified for the water and air sectors. Based on life cycle assessments for two case studies, it was checked how the potential benefits and impacts on the environment for nanotechnology products or processes compare with those for conventional solutions. The first case study deals with the solar treatment of water contami-nated with tetrachloroethylene, comparing nanoscale titanium dioxide (photo-catalysis) and a photo-Fenton process. The second case study on air filtration compares a passenger car cabin-air filter with nanofibres and a conventional filter. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

High voltage cathode materials Li-excess layered oxide compounds Li[Ni{sub x}Li{sub 1/3-2x/3}Mn{sub 2/3-x/3}]O{sub 2} (0 < x < 1/2) are investigated in a joint study combining both computational and experimental methods. The bulk and surface structures of pristine and cycled samples of Li[Ni{sub 1/5}Li{sub 1/5}Mn{sub 3/5}]O{sub 2} are characterized by synchrotron X-Ray diffraction together with aberration corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (a-S/TEM). Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is carried out to investigate the surface changes of the samples before/after electrochemical cycling. Combining first principles computational investigation with our experimental observations, a detailed lithium de-intercalation mechanism is proposed for this family of Li-excess layered oxides. The most striking characteristics in these high voltage high energy density cathode ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magnesium alloys have been increasingly used in automotive and electronic industries because of their excellent strength to weight ratio and EMI shielding properties. However, magnesium alloys have low formability at room temperature due to their unique mechanical behavior (twinning and untwining), prompting for forming at an elevated temperature. In this study, a temperature dependent constitutive model for magnesium alloy (AZ31B) sheet is developed. A hardening law based on non linear kinematic hardening model is used to consider Bauschinger effect properly. Material parameters are determined from a series of uni-axial cyclic experiments (T-C-T or C-T-C) with the temperature ranging 150-250 deg. C. The influence of temperature on the constitutive equation is introduced by the material parameters assumed to be functions of temperature. Fitting process of the assumed model to measured data is presented and the results are ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The magnetic ordering temperature of some rare-earth-based heavy-fermion compounds is strongly pressure dependent and can be completely suppressed at a critical pressure, p_c, making way for novel correlated electron states close to this quantum critical point. We have studied the clean heavy-fermion antiferromagnets CePd_2Si_2 and CeIn_3 in a series of resistivity measurements at high pressures up to 3.2 GPa and down to temperatures in the mK region. In both materials, superconductivity appears in a small window of a few tenths of a GPa on either side of p_c. We present detailed measurements of the superconducting and magnetic temperature-pressure phase diagram, which indicate that superconductivity in these materials is enhanced, rather than suppressed, by the closeness to magnetic order. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paramagnetic susceptibilities of all the RCo_2 compounds for which measurements are available are found to obey a Curie-Weiss law consistent with the modified indirect exchange model. The rare-earth ions are in a well defined tripositive valence state. Paramagnetic moments and paramagnetic Curie temperatures are obtained for these materials for the first time. The paramagnetic moments of these materials are changed from their free-ion values by the effects of itinerant electron polarisation, an effect which is particularly large for SmCo_2 whose paramagnetic moment is almost three times greater than the free-ion value. The modified indirect exchange model is found to be able to give a full description of the magnitude of the rare-earth, cobalt and diffuse moments in polarised neutron experiments. The band structures of the light RCo_2 compounds are found to be distinctly different to those of the heavy RCo_2 compounds. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pure Cu of 99.98 wt.% purity has been processed at room temperature by diverse techniques of severe plastic deformation, namely equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), high pressure torsion (HPT) and a combination of both in order to find out the evolution on the microstructural homogeneity for each of the processes and their combination. Starting with a grain size of #approx#60 #mu#m, severe plastic deformation has been introduced to the material while maintaining the sample dimensions unchanged through the processes of ECAP and HPT. A significant decrease in grain size was observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Microtensile and microhardness tests were carried out on the deformed material in the three processing conditions. A significant improvement of the tensile strength was promoted with admissible penalization on ductility.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconia has demonstrated a very moderate toughening effect in nitrogen-based ceramic composites because the reaction between tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO_2) and nitrogen results in additional zirconia stabilization to a nontransformable t' or cubic structure. In O'-SiAlON matrices, the oxygen concentration increases and the oxygen-rich intergranular glassy phase prevents zirconia from nitridation. As a result, tetragonal ZrO_2 is maintained and is transformable in the O'-SiAlON materials. The present study has provided transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidence of the zirconia transformation and the associated toughening effect in a ZrO_2/O'-SiAlON composite. The implications and limitations of the transformation on toughening of the material are discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The EU-home team is in charge of the R and D related to the ITER baffle first wall. Five small-scale mock-ups, using Be, CFC and W tiles and different armour/heat-sink material joints under development, have been fabricated and thermomechanically tested in FE200 (Le Creusot) and JUDITH (Juelich) electron beam facilities. The small-scale mock-ups have been submitted to thermo-mechanical fatigue tests (up to failure using accelerating techniques). The objective was to determine the performances of the armour material joints under high heat flux cycles. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The formation of nanoparticles during the radiation-induced chemical reduction of silver ions, copper ions, and nickel ions in films based on poly(acrylic acid)-poly(ethylenimine) complexes are studied via electron microscopy. This approach allows preparation of composites containing nanoparticles that are randomly distributed in the polymer matrix and materials with a regular spatial distribution of nanoparticles across the film thickness and in subsurface layers. The structure of metal-polymer hybrid materials is dependent on the irradiation conditions, the type of reduced metal ions, and their initial content in polymer matrices. The ratio between the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth of nanoparticles in the matrices of interpolyelectrolyte complexes depends on the intensity of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microcrystalline silicon carbide ({mu}c-SiC) was prepared at low substrate temperatures using Hot Wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD). High crystalline volume fractions were achieved at high hydrogen dilution and high deposition pressure. Without intentional doping, such material shows high dark conductivity and high optical absorption below the band gap. The material prepared at low deposition pressure or low hydrogen dilution, on the other hand, shows much lower conductivity and sub-gap absorption, but high spin densities up to 5 x 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3}. This high absorption can be attributed to free carriers, different to {mu}c-Si:H where a correlation between the sub-gap absorption and the spin density is observed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microstructural observations of damage around indentations in Ti{sub 3}SiC{sub 2} are presented. The Vickers hardness decreased with increasing load and asymptotically approached 4 GPa at the highest loads. No indentation cracks were observed even at loads as high as 300 N. Preliminary strength versus indentation plots indicate that, at least for the large-grained material ({approx}100 {micro}m) studied here, Ti{sub 3}SiC{sub 2} is a damage-tolerant material able to contain the extent of microdamage to a small area around the indent. The following multiple energy-absorbing mechanisms have been identified from scanning electron micrographs of areas in the vicinity of the indentation: diffuse microcracking, delamination, crack deflection, grain push-out, grain pull-out, and the buckling of individual grains.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Composite nitrides (such as BN, TiN) are widely used in various industrial applications because of their extreme wear and corrosion resistance, thermal and electrical properties. in order to obtain composite materials with these optimal properties, it is important to elucidate whether any chemical reactions occur at nitride/metal interfaces, e.g., those involving BN-Ti/TiN. Materials of interest include the deposition by PVD of Ti and TiN on BN substrates. Some of these systems were then subjected to varying degrees of physical and thermal alteration. Detailed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has therefore been rendered of these interfaces using cross-sectional display and sputter etching. Resulting structural and morphological features have been investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Diffusion of the nitridation, oxynitride formation and interfacial growth are of general ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Perylene bisimides (PBIs) represent an important class of organic n-type semiconductors exhibiting a relatively high electron affinity among large-band-gap materials. Herein synthesis and characterization of several unsymmetrical N-substituted PBI dyes is presented and the thermotropic behavior, which is strongly affected by the respective N-substituents was investigated. Two different series of highly soluble and fluorescent derivatives have been synthesized: (1) PBIs bearing swallow-tailed alkyl chains, different in size or (2) one swallow-tailed alkyl chain and one branched oligoethylenglycolether. Synthesis of these PBIs is generally feasible by two distinct divergent synthesis approaches. Thermotropic behavior was studied by DSC, POM and XRD measurements. Inherent {pi}-{pi} interactions between cofacially orientated perylene molecules and the elliptic shape of the molecule favor the ordering in columns and self-organized architectures. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Focused ion beam (FIB) milling is a powerful and versatile tool for the maskless fabrication of structures and devices at micro- and nanometer scales. The approach is based on the milling and deposition capabilities of a focused ion beam, where the latter is achieved by ion-beam-assisted decomposition of a metalorganic gas precursor of the specific material that has to be deposited. The combination of FIB and scanning electron microscopy in the same unit (so-called dual-beam unit) further expands the capabilities of the approach by the possibility of performing electron-beam-assisted deposition and inspection. Permalloy nanowires with electrical contacts patterned by FIB-Pt deposition were prepared in the dual-beam unit. Various types of notches to pin magnetic domain walls were additionally fabricated by means of FIB. The fabrication parameters for a structural modification of the Permalloy structures without too strongly ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report on the possibility to prepare ZnSe porous layers with different degrees of porosity by means of electrochemical methods. The prepared porous structures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) techniques. The PL of the as-grown material and porous layers measured at low temperatures (10 K) was found to be dominated by an emission band at 2.796 eV as well as a band at 2.700 eV with several phonon replicas. The analysis of the dependence of these bands upon the excitation power density and temperature suggests that free-to-bound and respectively donor-acceptor electron transitions are responsible for the emission bands involved. The comparison of SEM and CL images taken from the same porous regions demonstrated that cathodoluminescence intensity from layers with small characteristic sizes of the porous entities (around 50 nm) is weaker than that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A low-molybdenum austenitic stainless steel (UNS S30100) has been surface implanted with molybdenum ions, using various doses of 50 keV and 140 keV ions at room temperature. It is found that in aqueous sulphate/chloride solutions similar to the constitution of sea-waters the implantation does not affect the potentiostatically-determined critical pitting potential, but does change the density and morphology of corrosion pits. Pitting initiation after the addition of chloride at a fixed potential indicates little change in the time for measurable current increase, but the rate of increase of the current is much lower for implanted material. Detailed examination using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction suggests that the pits produced in implanted material are hemispherical with smooth covers of unattacked alloy. The use of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim was to gain experience on how to produce Alkali Metal Thermo-Electric-Converter (AMTEC) cells, for the demonstration of their principles and potentials, as a basis for future commercialization. These cells should be able to present an efficient and direct conversion of thermal energy to electric energy. The system is based on an electro-chemical concentration cell built around a {beta}`` aluminium oxide membrane that separates the two chambers. This material is a good conductor of sodium and a bad conductor of electrons, and it is this property which is taken advantage of. In the two chambers of the cell is found saturated sodium vapour at two temperatures. The motive power is the expansion over the membrane where the sodium ions are transported through it whilst the electrons are forced through the outer cycle. This concept is described in detail in addition to the choice of materials, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We provide a numerically efficient procedure to perform LDA+Hubbard I calculations including self-consistency over the charge density in the FP-LAPW basis. The method is applied to Pu, Am, and PuAm and PuCe alloys. Our results for valence photoemission spectra (PES) agree with experimental data and with previous LDA+DMFT calculations. Analysis of the J=5/2 and J=7/2 contributions to the f-occupation supports the intermediate-coupling picture of f-states in heavy actinides. The electronic specific heat coefficient is calculated for PuAm and PuCe alloys in reasonable agreement with recent experiments. We show that Pu atoms keep their mixed-valence character in these alloys. Next, we study electronic and spectral properties of Pu-based superconductor PuCoGa_5 and obtain good agreement with experimental PES. Finally, we analyze surface effects. In Pu monolayer, we find substantial modification of PES due to 5f-electron ...

Science.gov (United States)

We will report on a new type of tunable semiconductor laser, which is based on the electronic selection of one Bragg grating among an array of such gratings in silica. The device that we have built operates at 120 Mb/s but extension to 1 Gb/s for Gigabit-Ethernet applications would be straightforward. In comparison with tunable semiconductor lasers using gratings in the III-V materials, silica gratings offer two significant advantages: 1-wavelength stability and predictability, 2-the ability to phusically overlap many gratings in a compact space in order to enable the selection of a large number of wavelengths for wavelength division multiplexed communications systems. The time required to chagne the wavelength in our laser has not been measured for lack of the necessary electronics but it is expected to be in the microsecond range on the basis of a straightforward calculation. The robust all solid-state nature of our ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method for encapsulating and immobilizing waste for disposal. Waste, preferably, biologically, chemically and radioactively hazardous, and especially electronic wastes, such as circuit boards, are placed in a crucible and heated by microwaves to a temperature in the range of approximately 300{degrees}C to 800{degrees}C to incinerate organic materials, then heated further to a temperature in the range of approximately 1100{degrees}C to 1400{degrees}C at which temperature glass formers present in the waste will cause it to vitrify. Glass formers, such as borosilicate glass, quartz or fiberglass can be added at the start of the process to increase the silicate concentration sufficiently for vitrification.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is pointed out that a recently claimed result regarding the removal of sharp structure in the electronic density of states N(E) of A-15 superconducting compounds at T approximately equal to Tsub(c) was in fact, shown earlier by one of the present authors (M.N.M.). Merely the variation of N(E) with energy in the vicinity of the Fermi level in these materials cannot explain their anomalous normal state properties and high values of lambda and Tsub(c). Rather a non-varying N(E) accompanied by phonon softening is in better agreement with experiment. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

Several commercially available capacitors were evaluated at the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Our primary interest was their performance under a bias voltage when used as DC link capacitors in cryogenic power electronics. In general, the performance of polymer capacitors and certain ceramic capacitors is almost independent of the temperature, DC bias, and frequency. On the other hand, ceramic capacitors based on high dielectric constant materials showed a strong dependence on the boundary conditions. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors showed a dramatic decrease of capacitance at 77 K, possibly due to the electrolyte being frozen and therefore losing its conductivity.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An annealing with the nanosecond laser light pulse is applied for crystal lattice reconstruction of a disturbed near-surface layer, which was created in semiconductor material as a result of the implantation process. Radiation with energy density higher than the threshold value causes the melting of the surface layer and than the epitaxial recrystallization from the melt on a different substrate. Structural changes occurring in the Ge implanted Si crystals after annealing with different energy densities are investigated by means of the cross-section high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Scientists at JPL have developed chemical and biological techniques using microspheres filled with drugs, electron-opaque metals, or radioactive, fluorescent, magnetic or electrically charged materials to label specific groups of cells. Synthetic polymeric microspheres are coupled with specific antibodies to form reagents called immunomicrospheres, which can seek out and attach themselves to any specific group of cells. These cell-labeling techniques, therefore, open new avenues not only to the basic study of cells but also to the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including cancer.

CERN Document Server

No magnetic monopoles were found in 2.5*10/sup 18/ primary proton- aluminium interactions produced by exposing an aluminium target to the Fermilab 300 GeV/c proton beam. Negative searches have also resulted from exposures of material to electrons at SLAC and from pp interactions at the CERN-ISR. The monopole pair production probability in proton-nucleon collisions is shown to be of order 10/sup -18/ or less, with 95% confidence level, if monopoles have masses less than 12 GeV. (24 refs).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nano-indentation has been used to assess the hardness of equiaxed grains of #alpha#-Ti as a function of orientation. Surface normals of these grains in metallographic sections were assessed using orientation imaging microscopy. Thin membranes of material from below a series of nano-indentations were excised by use of a dual-beam focused ion beam instrument. In this way, the dislocation substructures beneath individual indentations were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, permitting an identification of both statistically stored and geometrically necessary dislocations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Most of the investigations have a theoretical sustenance based on molecular simulation. The area of application of molecular simulation is very wide, in the Materials Technology Department assigned to the Applied Sciences Management have been treated problems about metallic nano structures, glasses, interfaces, and molecules, to sustain and to explain some of the experimental results. Energy calculations are carried out to determine minimum energy structures, for later on to carry out calculations of some of their properties; as well as the images simulation of Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. (Author)

Science.gov (United States)

Basic research of the structure and electronic properties of a-Si:H is reported with particular emphasis on the role of defects. The main findings are as follows: (1) low defect density material can be deposited at a high rate using SiH/sub 4/ diluted in He or Ne. Using Ar or Kr results in a high defect density and columnar material; (2) an electrical bias during deposition modifies the band gap, hydrogen concentration and structure; (3) the clustering of hydrogen in the regions between the columns is confirmed; (4) hydrogen diffusion is observed by NMR; (5) the oxidation of an a-Si:H surface results in approx. 3 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/ dangling bonds at the interface; (6) auger recombination of photoexcited carriers is a significant non-radiative mechanism at low temperatures; (7) non-radiative recombination by diffusion and capture at dangling bonds is observed at temperatures above 50 to 100/sup 0/K; (8) the defect ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper deals with preparation of PE clay nano composite specimen for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and studying the difference between dispersion of clay in low density polyethylene using poly(hydrogen methyl siloxane) (PHMS) as coupling agent and untreated one. Argon ion milling is the conventional means by which film sections are thinned to electron transparency for TEM analysis, but this technique exhibits significant problems. In particular, selective thinning and imaging of sub-micrometer inclusions during sample milling are highly problematic. We have achieved successful results using the focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out technique, which utilizes a 30 kV Ga"+ ion beam to extract electron transparent specimens with nanometer scale precision. Using this procedure, we have prepared a number of thin film materials representing a range of structures and compositions for TEM analysis. We ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electronic structure and properties of the cubic Laves phase (C15) compounds ZrZn/sub 2/ and ZrV/sub 2/ have been determined using our all-electron full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave (FLAPW) method for bulk solids. The computations were performed in two stages: (i) self-consistent warped muffin tin and (ii) self-consistent full potential. Spin-orbit coupling was included after either stage. The effects of the inclusion of the nonspherical terms inside the muffin tins on the eigenvalues is found to be small (of order 1 mRy). However, due to the fact that some of the bands near the Fermi level are flat, this effect leads to a much higher value of the density of states at E/sub F/ in ZnZr/sub 2/. The most important difference between the materials ZrZn/sub 2/ and ZrV/sub 2/ is the position of the d bands derived from the Zr and V atoms. Consequently, these materials have completely ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical, electromagnetic and mechanical properties of thin films (TFs) are directly correlated to their morphology at the nanoscale. This, in concert with the fact that new deposition techniques are enabling the growth of thin films with very complex morphologies, there is an increasing interest in model-based simulation (MBS) for the design of engineering structures (including nanostructures), and increasing computer speeds are beginning to make MBS an effective design tool capable of bridging the nanoscale with the continuum scale, has made it increasingly important to understand how the nanostructure of a thin film impacts its properties at all length scales. The authors have developed the capability to determine the mechanical properties of thin films with amorphous nanostructure by combining molecular dynamics, i.e., position of particles (e.g., atoms or molecules) and their interatomic potential(s), with continuum mechanics ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Magnesium alloys have replaced resins as a material for the components of electronic products such as cell phone and notebook personal computer mainly, because of their lightness and rigidity. Thin walls, a complicated shape, and high appearance quality are all needed in the external parts. Die-casting and injection molding are the main method of manufacturing magnesium alloy parts. The optimal cast conditions and mold design have been investigated in order that a few defects such as surface cracks and mold cavities in casting parts would be reduced. Instead of cast, plastic forming technologies such as warm drawing and hot forging have been developed to form thinner walls and less defects. Plastic formability of magnesium alloy in hot working is dependent on a grain size of material. The material with fine grains has advantage of being formed at high strain rate. The characteristics of forming ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For the first time, rheological phase method, a simple and effective route, is applied to synthesize novel cathode material LiCoPO4. X-ray diffraction spectrometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are taken to investigate this material, respectively. XRD figure shows that the rheological sample is better crystallized than the solid-state one. XPS result of the rheological sample exhibits that the valence of Co is 2+. TEM images show that better dispersed particles with smaller size can be formed by rheological method comparing to the solid-state route. Charge-discharge test is carried out in the range of 3.0-5.0 V at 0.2 mA cm-2. The initial discharge capacity for rheological phase and solid-state powder is 71.5 and 30.9 mAh g-1, respectively. The better electrochemical property should be ascribed to the better crystallized ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By using a plasma nitriding procedure at the PUPR Mirror Cusp Plasma machine, surface hardness is increased in 302/304-type stainless steel samples by exposing them to high-ion-density plasma at high vacuum. This method successfully dopes the surface of the material with strengthening nitrogen ions, without the use of chemical procedures that sacrifice the resistance to corrosion of the given material. A 500 V negative bias is placed on the sample exposed to the nitrogen plasma, where high-energy ions are therefore attracted and immersed into the metallic matrix microns into the surface of the stainless steel. This potential maintains a constant surface temperature at approximately 800 deg. C. The plasma parameters including ion density and plasma temperature were diagnosed using single Langmuir probes. The stainless steel samples were then tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Vickers micro-hardness testing ...

Science.gov (United States)

Target vessel materials used in spallation neutron source will be exposed to proton and neutron irradiation and mercury immersion environments. In order to evaluate the surface degradation of the vessel candidate materials due to such environment, the triple-ion beam irradiation taking the spallation reaction into account and mercury immersion tests were carried out. Mechanical properties of the gradient surface layer were evaluated by the inverse analysis with multi-layer model that considers distribution of surface characteristic was applied to the load and depth curves measured by using the instrumented indentation machine. Transmission electron microscopic observations were performed to evaluate the changes of microstructure in irradiated surface layer using focused ion-beam cut micro-specimen. The mechanical properties distributions in the surface layer were evaluated quantitatively and the changes in microstructures ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The characterization data obtained to date are described for Approved Testing Material (ATM)-103, which is spent fuel from Assembly D101 of pressurized-water reactor Calvert Cliffs, No. 1. This report is one in a series being written by the Materials Characterization Center (MCC) at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) on spent fuel ATMs. The ATMs are receiving extensive examinations to provide a source of well-characterized spent fuel for testing in the US nuclear waste repository program. ATM-103 consists of 176 full-length irradiated fuel rods with rod-average burnups of about 2600 GJ/kgM (30 MWd/kgM) and less than 1% fission gas release. Characterization data include 1) as-fabricated fuel design, irradiation history, and subsequent storage and handling; 2) isotopic gamma scans; 3) fission gas analyses; 4) ceramography of the fuel and metallography of the cladding; 5) special fuels studies involving analytical transmission ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A balanced braking system comprising a plurality of braking assemblies located about a member to be braked. Each of the braking assemblies consists of a spring biased piston of a first material fitted into a body of a different material which has a greater contraction upon cooling than the piston material. The piston is provided with a recessed head portion over which is positioned a diaphragm and forming a space therebetween to which is connected a pressurized fluid supply. The diaphragm is controlled by the fluid in the space to contact or withdraw from the member to be braked. A cooling device causes the body within which the piston is fitted to contract more than the piston, producing a tight shrink fit therebetween. The braking system is particularly applicable for selectively braking an arbor of an electron microscope which immobilizes, for example, a vertically adjustable low temperature specimen ...

Science.gov (United States)

... TECHNICAL REPORT ARBRL-TR-02476 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE ... SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE EXAMINATION OF ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray ablation of material from the first wall and other components of an ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) chamber is a major threat to the laser final optics. Material condensing on these optics after a shot may cause damage with subsequent laser shots. To ensure the successful operation of the ICF facility, removal rates must be predicted accurately. The goal for this dissertation is to develop an experimentally validated x-ray response model, with particular application to the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Accurate knowledge of the x-ray and debris emissions from ICF targets is a critical first step in the process of predicting the performance of the target chamber system. A number of 1-D numerical simulations of NIF targets have been run to characterize target output in terms of energy, angular distribution, spectrum, and pulse shape. Scaling of output characteristics with variations of both target yield and hohlraum wall thickness are ...

ScienceCinema

...english ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

CERN Document Server

Materials science and technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By using a model dielectric matrix in electron self-energy evaluations the computational effort of a quasiparticle band-structure calculation for a semiconductor is greatly reduced. Applications to various systems with or without inversion symmetry, having narrow or wide band gaps, and semiconductor alloys demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the method. Calculations have been performed for thirteen semiconducting or insulating materials: Si, LiCl, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, InSb, and the Al_0_._5Ga_0_._5As and In_0_._5_3Ga_0_._4_7As alloys. Excellent agreement with experimental results is obtained for the quasiparticle energies for these materials. The only three exceptions, E(#GAMMA#_1_c) of AlP, E(L_1_c) of AlAs, and E(L_1_c) of AlSb are discussed and attributed to various experimental uncertainties. Several other quasiparticle-excitation-related properties are also examined in this work. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When exposure-calibrated ionization chambers are used to calibrate megavoltage X-ray and electron beam therapy machines, the calibration factor can be divided into a chamber-dependent and a chamber-independent component. Until recently, only the chamber-independent part, which has been derived theoretically, has been used; the chamber-dependent component has been ignored. Recent experimental and theoretical considerations, however, have indicated that the dependent component must be taken into account and can affect the calibration by as much as 4%. The calibration can change due to (i) the thickness of the chamber wall, (ii) the chamber wall composition, i.e. whether the chamber is constructed of air-equivalent material, or tissue- or water-equivalent material, and (iii) the size of the chamber changing the displacement factor. Theoretical and experimental evidence indicates that the third factor varies from approximately ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to optimize the performance of molecular organic electronic devices it is important to study the intermolecular density of states and charge transport mechanisms in the environment of crystalline organic material. Using this approach in Field Effect Transistors (FETs) we show that material purification improves carrier mobility and decreases density of the deep localized electronic state. We also report a general exponential energy dependence of the density of localized states in a vicinity of the mobility edge (Fermi energies up to approx7 times higher than the thermal energy (kT)) in a variety of the extensively purified molecular organic crystal FETs. This observation and the low activation energy of the order of approxkT suggest that molecular structural misplacements of the sizes that are comparable with thermal molecular modes rather than impurity deep traps play a role in formation of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more and more important not only for portable electronic devices, but also in prevision of high power electric vehicles. In such an optic, deep studies regarding all the components of a secondary battery are in development. In this study, high voltage cathode materials have been selected. Crystals with spinel structure have a 3D vacancy pathway suitable for Li-ions transport. The material under study was LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} doped with magnesium replacing the nickel. Various samples were synthesized via three different routes: a solid-state method, a modified sol-gel method and a xerogel method. The structure and morphology of the powders were analyzed with HRTEM and XRD. Electrochemical tests were also performed. A wide range of particle sizes (from micro to nanosize) was the result of the different synthesis routes. Unfortunately pure materials were not ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thermoplastic polymer materials and the compounds made with them are being used more frequently for industrial components and for general use. However, the application of these materials for the production of complex shaped or relatively large pieces is limited, because of the difficulty and cost of making the necessary tool kit for the job. One solution is the use of the welding process. But the safe and reliable union of different thermoplastic material parts is not a simple process, even less so in the case of unions of large components. Welding by microwaves using polymer conductors can help, since the large scale equipment is available, and methods for continuous processes by microwave have been developed, that can be used to weld large and small components. Many thermoplastics (ex. polyethylene) do not absorb, or absorb very little, energy from microwaves. Polymer conductors, however, heavily absorb from microwaves ...

Science.gov (United States)

An interest in electronic materials has led me to investigate new synthetic approaches to III-V' type semiconducting (13-15, current IUPAC designation for B and N groups in the Periodic Table) and magnetic (3-15) compounds. It is now possible to prepare binary (GaAs and GdP) and ternary mixed-metal (Al[sub x]Ga[sub 1-x]As) and mixed-pnictide (GaP[sub x]As[sub 1-x]) compounds in seconds from rapid, low-temperature-initiated metathesis reactions between a metal (III) trihalide and a trisodium pnictide, exemplified by MX[sub 3] + Na[sub 3]Pn [yields] MPn + 3 NaX, where M is Al, Ga, In, (Al,Ga), or a lanthanide; X is F, Cl, or I; and Pn is P, As, Sb, or (P,As). The precursors are mixed together in a dry box and ignited by light grinding with a mortar and pestle, or by brief, local heating from a hot filament. These reactions are very exothermic (calculated [Delta]H[sub rxn] (GaAs) = 138 kcal/mol) and typically reach temperatures in excess ...

CERN Document Server

Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis in the Electron Microscope

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Environmental regulations can have a significant impact on product use, disposal, and recycling. This report summarizes the basic aspects of current federal, state and international regulations which apply to end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV manufacturing scrap destined for disposal or recycling. It also discusses proposed regulations for electronics that may set the ground of what is to be expected in this area in the near future. In the US, several states have started programs to support the recycling of electronic equipment, and materials destined for recycling often are excepted from solid waste regulations during the collection, transfer, storage and processing stages. California regulations are described separately because they are different from those of most other states. International agreements on the movement of waste between different countries may pose barriers to cross-border shipments. Currently ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Helium and Lead Observatory (HALO) is a supernova neutrino detector under development for construction at SNOLAB. It is intended to fulfill a niche as a long term, low cost, high livetime, and low maintenance, dedicated supernova detector. It will be constructed from 80 tonnes of lead, from the decommissioning of the Deep River Cosmic Ray Station, and instrumented with approximately 384 meters of {sup 3}He neutron detectors from the final phase of the SNO experiment. Charged- and Neutral-Current neutrino interactions in lead expel neutrons from the lead nuclei making a burst of detected neutrons the signature for the detection of a supernova. Existing neutrino detectors are mostly of the water Cerenkov and liquid scintillator types, which are primarily sensitive to electron anti-neutrinos via charged-current interactions on the hydrogen nuclei in these materials. By contrast, the large neutron excess of a heavy nucleus like Pb acts to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The structural parameters of various Haegg phases (H or M_n_+_1AX_n phases) are studied experimentally by x-ray and electron spectroscopies, x-ray diffraction, and ab initio full potential as well as full mutiple scattering theoretical calculations. Experimentally it was found that the structure of all ternary compounds analyzed herein are relaxed. The values of the lattice parameters and relaxations obtained from ab initio calculations are in excellent agreement with those deduced from the analysis of the experimental data. The bonding scheme has been analyzed and the charge transfer between constituting atoms determined. It is demonstrated that the strength and electrical transport properties in these materials are principally governed by the metallic planes. For the solid solution (Ti_0_._5Nb_0_._5)_2AlC, the most salient result is that the basal planes are corrugated, which could explain the solid solution scattering observed in this H ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

LiNiO{sub 2} is one of the most promising material for positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. However, its behaviour during cycling and the existence of several phase transitions induced by the lithium ions de-intercalation process has not been explained so far. A transition electron microscopy study of various Li{sub x}NiO{sub 2} (0.25

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The profile imaging technique is used to study the oxidation of ZnTe and InP surfaces induced by in situ reaction due to the electron beam of the microscope and by ex situ heating in air. For both materials, in situ reaction with the electron beam resulted in desorption of the anion species and the formation of the metal oxide. The observation of In metal particles, and the fact that the rate of formation of In_2O_3 was substantially reduced by an improvement of the vacuum near the specimen region, suggested that the presence of oxygen is not involved in the desorption process. The ex situ heating of ZnTe up to 260 degrees C in air resulted in crystals of ZnO and Te metal, generally in a layered surface region with the sequence of ZnTe/Te/ZnO. The large Te crystals usually had an epitaxial relationship with the bulk ZnTe but the small ZnO crystals had random orientations. The ex situ heating of InP to 380 degrees C in air ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The NiO-samaria doped ceria (SDC) composite powders were prepared by spray pyrolysis technique at temperatures between 400 and 1000 C. The variation of the particle structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM)-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The thermal analysis of raw materials was also carried out. The following facts became clear in this study. Ceria and nickel have been already separated at 400 C. Samaria is amorphous phase below 600 C, and is dissolved in ceria at 600 C or higher. Samaria is distributed uniformly inside the particles before dissolving in ceria. The thermal decomposition temperatures of metal nitrate are: cerium < nickel < samarium. The results of these analyses were explained without contradiction. It was found that it is important to optimize the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The mobility of metals in ground water is an important consideration for evaluating remedial options at the Asarco smelter site. Tacoma, Washington. One factor in assessing metal mobility is the degree of secondary mineralization in a slag-fill aquifer extending into the intertidal zone along the Puget Sound shoreline. Samples of aquifer material were collected for mineralogical analysis from borehole MW-206 at five-foot intervals within the slag fill from 5 to 25 feet below the ground surface, and in the underlying marine sand and gravel at 27 feet. Grab samples of slag fragments with visually apparent secondary minerals were also collected at five intermediate depths between 12 and 19 feet. Samples were analyzed by a variety of techniques including hydride generation/atomic absorption for arsenic concentration, scanning electron microscopy/electron microprobe for mineralogical texture and microanalysis, powder x-ray ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Useful bipolar transistor action over the full temperature range from 78 to 823K has been demonstrated for mesa-isolated, liquid-phase epitaxial n/sup +/npn, GaP/Al/sub 0/ /sub 35/Ga/sub 0/ /sub 65/P/GaP/GaP structures. This represents both the highest temperature and the widest temperature range (745K) over which useful solid-state transistor action has ever been demonstrated in any III-V compound semiconductor system. These results imply that the GaP/Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/P chemical system is an excellent materials candidate in which to base a technology for high-temperature electronics and the results also imply the very real possibility of functional solid-state devices and circuits at temperatures in excess of 500/sup 0/C.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The industrial radiation processing using low energy electron beam (EB) accelerators lower than 300 keV offers high speed, safe technologies for the chemical conversion of thin layer coatings. Because of the nonselective mode of initiating chain reaction polymerization involving free radicals in synthetic coating layers and suitable substrates, the EB curing of the coatings on woods and papers has particular advantage. Hungary decided to start an up-to-date EB line to process cement-bound (CB) wood chipboards with pigmented acrylic coatings. The CB wood chipboards contain more than 60 % of portland cement and up to 40 % of wood particles. They are produced as large boads of 6 - 16 mm thickness. In their fireproof character and other aspects, they are similar to asbestos-cement boards without containing carcinagenic asbestos, and are stable against moisture and atmospheric influences. EB-cured acrylate coating improved further those properties, and makes them ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ion bombardment during deposition can significantly modify the film properties. In the partially ionized beam deposition, ions derived from the depositing material, i.e., the self-ions, are used during deposition. Cu films were deposited on SiO{sub 2} substrates at room temperature using 1% Cu self-ions with an energy ranging between 0--4 keV. We studied the microstructures of the Cu films using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, measured the impurity level inside the films using secondary ion mass spectrometry, and performed the resistivity measurements using a four point probe. The results indicate that there is an optimum ion energy around 2 keV at which, the integrated x-ray intensity ratio {ital I}(111)/{ital I}(200) reaches its maximum value indicating a strong {l angle}111{r angle} texture, while the impurity concentration and resisitivity are minimum. The correlation between the structural, compositional and ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Materials (PREM) Synopsis of Program: The objective of PREM is to enhance diversity in materials ... careers in materials research. The Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM ...

Science.gov (United States)

... centers in materials research. MRSECs address fundamental materials research topics of intellectual ... in materials research. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION MRSECs are supported by NSF to undertake materials ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) Division of Materials Research Synopsis of Program ... for Materials Research (IMR) program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) is designed to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We compare experimental measurements of inhomogeneous plastic deformation in a Ni bicrystal with crystal-plasticity simulations. Polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction, orientation imaging microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, were used to characterize the geometrically necessary dislocation distribution of the bicrystal after uniaxial tensile deformation. Changes in the local crystallographic orientations within the sample reflect its plastic response during the tensile test. Elastic strain in both grains increases near the grain boundary. Finite element simulations were used to understand the influence of initial grain orientation and structural inhomogeneities on the geometrically-necessary dislocations arrangement and distribution and to understand the underlying materials physics.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection has been used for sensitive, simple, and reliable analysis of carfentrazone-ethyl residues in water. Carfentrazone-ethyl was enriched by use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), a new adsorptive material. Several conditions affecting recovery of the analyte, for example polarity and volume of eluents, pH of water samples, and sample volume, were studied. Recovery from fortified samples, linear range, and limit of detection were evaluated. The results showed that MWCNT are an efficient SPE adsorbent for preconcentration of carfentrazone-ethyl in water. Under the optimized SPE conditions, recovery of carfentrazone-ethyl from fortified water was 81.49?91.08%, with RSD from 1.66 to 8.21%. The limits of detection ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

By means of ab-initio electronic structure calculation and one-dimensional Boltzmann transport equation solution, we investigate the size dependent thermoelectric (TE) properties of n-type ZnO nanowires (NWs) and surface passivation effects. As demonstrated by our calculations, largest figure of merit ZT achievable in thin NWs is larger than that in wide NWs, whereas being restrained by higher demand of n-type doping. Moreover, bare NWs are superior in TE application comparing with the passivated. To compete with conventional TE materials, lattice thermal conductivity of ZnO NWs should be at least 2 orders of magnitude lower than bulk value.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The properties of AlN make this material very attractive for optical, electronic, and tribological application. Also, if the AlN could be formed on the Al surface to enhance its surface properties, Al could be applied for the lightening of machine parts. However, a dense oxide film exists on the surface of Al, which prevents the formation of the Al nitride even during plasma nitriding and plasma coating process. In this study, plasma nitriding has been tried to form an AlN layer on Al after the surface activation processes. During the plasma nitriding, the density of the nitrogen ions was amplified by means of controlling the power of the Al substrates. The film thickness, microstructural features and the mechanical properties such as hardness and wear properties of the AlN layer were examined as a function of the process parameters of pretreatment and plasma nitriding

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The opportunity of use self-maintained plasma-beam discharge in an extended pulsing plasma diode of low pressure for making powerful sources of the soft X-rays is investigated. Conditions of formation of the self-maintained plasma-beam discharge are determined. The mode of making of dense high-temperature plasma on the basis of stannum ions in the discharge is shown. The stannum ions are used as a working element of a radiation sources at pulsing power of electron beam P?10...100 MW. Results of the examination on formation of the dense (np?1016 cm3), small sizes (le?100 eV in conditions of working material evaporation from the anode are given. The total contribution of energy to the discharge has made W < 20 J.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The corrosion behavior of hard metals with VC and Cr3C2 grain growth inhibitors was investigated in alkaline solutions by electrochemical methods. The two inhibitors have opposite effects on the corrosion behavior: Cr3C2 significantly improves the corrosion behavior, whereas VC-containing alloys show a poor resistance. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of the distributions of Cr and V in the composite material, as well as in the surface layers formed during corrosion were employed to clarify the influence of these elements on the corrosion behavior. The measurements showed that VC is precipitated mostly along the WC/binder interface after the liquid-phase sintering process, while Cr3C2 is almost homogene...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.2}O{sub 2} particles from high-power lithium-ion cells were examined to determine material changes that result from accelerated aging tests. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) data indicated a Li{sub x}Ni{sub 1-x}O-type layer on the particle surfaces. The greater thickness on particles from high-power fade cells indicate that these surface layers are a significant contributor to cathode impedance rise observed during cell tests.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Site occupancies in three C15-structured AB{sub 2}(X) Laves phases have been determined by Atom Location by CHanneling Enhanced MIcroanalysis (ALCHEMI). In NbCr{sub 2}(V), the results were consistent with exclusive site occupancies of Nb for the A sublattice and Cr and V for the B sublattice. The B-site occupancy of V is not expected from atom size effects alone. In NbCr{sub 2}(Ti), the results were consistent with Ti partitioning mostly to the A sites with some anti-site defects likely. In HfV{sub 2}(Nb), the results were consistent with Nb partitioning between the A and B sites. The results of the ALCHEMI analyses of these ternary C15 Laves phase materials will be discussed with respect to previously determined phase diagrams and first-principles total energy and electronic structure calculations.

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Science.gov (United States)

Fabry Perot interferometry is a method of determining instantaneous velocities of an object in motion. The interferometer system is composed of the Fabry Perot interferometer, a laser, an electronic streak camera, and several focusing lenses. The first tests discussed were done on exploding bridgewire devices. During these tests, several system parameters were changed. These changes did not seem to affect the data, which appeared to be consistent. The second tests performed focused on slapper-type devices. It was determined that sandblasted, vapor-deposited aluminum on the slapper material would be required to yield quality data. Streak camera failure prevented much data from being collected. An effort is being made to replace the current streak camera. After it is replaced, a Fabry Perot and velocity interferometry system for any reflector comparison will be made. The results will be published as the conclusion to this report.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Solar cells and organic electronic devices require an encapsulation to ensure sufficient lifetime. Key parameters of the encapsulation are permeation barrier, UV stability, temperature stability, optical transmission spectra and mechanical stability. The requirements depend very much on the specific application. Many work groups suggest multilayer stacks to meet the permeation requirements. In this paper the permeation barrier properties of the different constituents of such a multilayer stack are characterized. Different layer materials are compared regarding their water vapour and oxygen permeability as well as the influence of process parameters is examined. Finally temperature dependent permeation measurements are used to characterize the permeation mechanisms in the different constituents of the multilayer barrier.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We summarize recent developments in x-ray microscopy of polymers by focusing on the characterization of organic electronic devices. The quantitative compositions of model polymer blends have been mapped at a resolution of {approx}35 nm. Since it could be inferred that these devices have structures smaller than 35 nm, quantitative compositional mapping at length scales below the present resolution limit of x-ray microscopy is required. Organic devices thus serve to both highlight the success of NEXAFS microscopy to date, but to also outline the very real need for higher spatial resolution. New approaches to create improved optics or different acquisition modalities are required if x-ray microscopy is to make sustained contributions to such an important area of research as organic devices.